Motorcycle engine hack like having an old F1 between your legs

The difficulty of rolling a 16-cylinder engine into a motorcycle really boggles the mind. But that’s exactly what [Andreas Georgeades] is doing in his garage. It’s two straight-8 engines sandwiched on top of one another with a custom crankcase connecting them. And get this, those custom parts are being milled by hand, using time-tested techniques rather than modern computer assistance.

So, where does the complexity come in? Well first of all you’ve got to solve all of the problems that go along with combining two engines. It sounds like this isn’t a new concept, as older generations of Formula 1 engines used the technique. But we still think it’s the pinnacle of hardcore when it’s an enthusiast undertaking the challenge. Then there’s the issue of weight. The engine is bulky, but needs to balance in the frame. And you still must find a way for the rider to sit on the thing (even the most bow-legged of people won’t be able to get their hips around the thing).

Seems like something out of a Mario Kart game that should have no chance of being roadworthy. But we’re sure [Andreas] is going to prove us wrong.

The engines appear to be a pair flat [opposed] 8 cylinder engines – not straight 8s.
It is possible. Ed Drabek installed a Ford flathead V8 [probably similar weight] in a modified Indian frame around 1950. Not very maneuverable, but a boat load or torque.

It says the engines are boxers. Hence it makes an H16 with 4cylinders on each spike of the H. It will be mounted with the H tipped at 90degrees by the look of it. That thing is going to be really wide!

I was referring to the HaD article rather than the source, but yeah point taken. It’s incorrect that “older generations” of F1 engines used this layout from what I can tell.

It appears only one such engine did so, and that was only used during a transitional time between the rule changes that provoked the creation of, and the eventual manufacturing of the Cosworth DFV.
It did win a Grand Prix however! US GP at Watkins Glen in 1966.

I’ve surfed to that site. The Hayabusa already works nicely in one of the various Lotus 7-alikes. The v-busa would prolly need a Lotus 8 kit to stay within the bodywork. $32US for the engine, >$5k for the sequential trans.

There where (are?) 4 cylinder inline motorcycle that where ride manageable. Why not use 4 of them, although the stack would still be pretty tall, the width would be more manageable I think. There is no way this could be a cruiser. Destined to be lay on the top salt flat machine. If you dare :)High power on 2 wheels never beckoned me. Although mild small block V8 using 3 wheels sounds like fun.

I think that hacking is about ‘what you got’ [and can get] not what you wish you had.
I would not say ‘never’, ‘no way’, ‘will not work’, etc. to a hacker at work. You can reserve those comments for side bets…

Humm. Fun but really. Build it with four Busa motors at 1.3 liters each and in EFI and turbos just for fun.
So 1.3 liters X 4 gives you 5.2 liters.
A busa well tuned with a turbo can give 250 HP Mr. Turbo claims up to 500 for a stage 3 kit so let’s stick to 250.
250HP X 4 == 1000HP. If you can get 300 HP your at 1200HP
Now build a car for it and Good freaking grief folks.